IGN True Video Game Story: Yoshi

Video game characters aren't real (obviously). It's a good thing too, because if they were it'd be a pretty sorry existence for them. It would essentially mean they're doomed to be little more than typecast actors who star in the same role over and over for not only the entirety of their careers, but, in fact, the rest of their lives.

Now, we all love Yoshi. But you've got to admit, of all the roles to be stuck in out there, being famous for sitting under your company mascot's gluteus maximus isn't exactly the most glamorous one. It makes it easy to forget just how much everyone's favorite non-purple dinosaur has contributed to gaming.

That's why we here at IGN decided to throw good ole Yoshi a bone and take a look back at the long and distinguished career of Mario's noble steed. The following is the true (sort of) story of Yoshi's constant battle with fame... and the lack there of. Read on to learn the truth behind those big, happy-go-lucky eyes and to see for yourself just how much this little, green dino has changed throughout the years.

Both Yoshi's life and career have seen their fair share of ups and downs, but unfortunately for the loveable lizard, they both started on quite the low note. Shigeru Miyamoto (Yoshi's real-life, non-dino daddy) has said before that he always intended for the character that would one day be known as Yoshi to make his way into the original Super Mario Bros.

He even tried again with Super Mario Bros. 3, but admitted that the technology just wasn't there until the Super Nintendo. That means Yoshi missed out on being in two of the greatest platformers of all time. What's even worse than that? Apparently poor Yoshi never fully recovered when he saw the above concept art and realized that Miyamoto couldn't decide between making him a dinosaur and making him a giant, mechanical Chocobo. Can you say, "scarred for life?"

The Early Years

Notable games from this era of Yoshi's life: Super Mario World (SNES), Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES)

Following an admittedly rough start, Yoshi finally got his break with the next evolution of Nintendo consoles, the SNES. It all began with Super Mario World --Yoshi's very first paid gig. After only one role, the young dino was already a rising star. Headlining Nintendo's killer app for the fledgling SNES alongside Nintendo's mascot was a lot for this rookie video game character to handle, but handle it he did, and before long he was practically his own name brand.

All the little dino that could needed to do to become a full-fledged superstar was to get out from under Mario's shadow. Luckily for him, and for the world, that chance was right around the corner.

At first, Yoshi and Mario's friendship seemed off to a great start. Cars, women, mushrooms -- they had it all. But you know what happens when fame enters any relationship: it can warp minds and break hearts. Yoshi may have become his own brand name, but his new rock star persona and need to see his image as separate from Mario's soon lead to the decline of their unique partnership.

What should have been a healthy step for Yoshi's psyche quickly plunged into an all-out rift between him and the famous plumber. I mean, just look at that smug look on his face as he eats his cookie. He's practically saying, "Eat your heart out Mario. I ain't nobody's crotch rocket anymore!" But even despite his success, Yoshi's lust for fame was still not satiated. He wanted more.